US Department of Labour Proposes Green Card Rule Changes

The United States government is set to revise its employment-based green card sponsorship requirements following a federal review of proposed changes to the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme. The proposed regulation, developed by the United States Department of Labour (DOL), has passed review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is expected to be published in the Federal Register.

The changes aim to revise recruitment requirements for employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency and strengthen protections for American workers affected by layoffs. The existing PERM framework requires employers to demonstrate a lack of qualified, willing, and available US workers before sponsoring foreign nationals.

The proposed regulation will focus on recruitment standards, protections for laid-off American workers, and compliance with federal non-discrimination rules. Specific provisions remain confidential until publication.

Following the publication, a public consultation period will allow stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed requirements before a final regulation is issued.